FARGO, North Dakota (AP) — A group of refugee students at Fargo South High School say they hope their book of short stories about their journeys to the United States will foster better understanding at a time when new arrivals are under scrutiny from presidential candidates, state leaders and others.

The 22 students in Leah Juelke’s English-language learners class became published authors last month when their collection was printed and distributed.

Juelke says she has seen “huge growth” and confidence from the students to be able to convey their thoughts and hear them read out loud by teachers in other classes.

One of the students, Nakafu Kahasha (nuh-KAH’-foo kuh-HAH’-shah), says she was not ready to write about her journey from Congo to Fargo, but that it turned out to be a good thing.